Pentagon destroys thousands of copies of Army officer's memoir to protect state secrets

THOUSANDS of copies pulped for fear classified information could threaten national security.

NewsCoreSeptember 28, 20105:48am

THOUSANDS of copies of an Army Reserve officer's memoir were pulped, not burned, after they were bought up by the US Defence Department (DOD) for fear they contained classified information that could threaten national security.

The 9500 copies of Operation Dark Heart, were pulped under DOD supervision, Pentagon spokesman Colonel David Lapan said. Initial reports indicated the books had been burned.

Leaked copies of the book were reportedly being sold for up to $1000, Fox News Channel reported.

The author said he was notified of the Pentagon's purchase Friday: "Someone buying 10,000 books to suppress a story in this digital age is ludicrous."

A second printing of the book has incorporated some changes sought by the US government, leading to some text - from words to entire paragraphs - being blacked out.

A statement from publisher St Martin's Press said that as the initial shipment of the book was being readied for release the DOD had expressed concern it could damage US national security.

"The newly revised book keeps our national interests secure, but this highly qualified warrior's story is still intact," the statement read, before suggesting the book was crucial reading for anyone concerned about the outcome of the war in Afghanistan.